The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on hemorrhage-induced suppression of cellular immune function.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine whether the steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) improves cellular immune functions after hemorrhagic shock.

DESIGN AND SETTING:

Prospective controlled study in a research laboratory at an university medical center.

SUBJECTS:

Male NMRI mice.

INTERVENTIONS:

Animals received 0.9% saline or DHEA (20 mg/kg subcutaneously) before induction of a volume-controlled hemorrhagic shock (55% of estimated circulating blood volume) by retro-orbital puncture. One hour after hemorrhage mice underwent fluid resuscitation by intravenous infusion of lactated Ringer's solution (300% of the shed blood). Separate groups of mice were killed to obtain whole blood and spleen 1 h after hemorrhage, 1 h after fluid resuscitation, and 24 h after hemorrhage to determine lymphocyte distribution (CD4(+), CD8(+), NK1.1-AG(+)), splenocyte apoptosis, and plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS:

Hemorrhage in control mice was associated with a rapid increase in circulating NK cell numbers. Elevated splenocyte apoptosis, an increased CD4/CD8 ratio, and decreased number of circulating CD8(+) T-cells was observed 24 h after hemorrhagic shock. DHEA administration was accompanied by a normalization of splenocyte apoptosis and lymphocyte migration. Induction of hemorrhagic shock did not affect TNF-alpha or IL-10 plasma concentrations in either treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS:

DHEA administration improves cellular immune function after hemorrhage and may therefore be beneficial in patients with hemorrhagic shock.

• Authors: Reiner Oberbeck, Eike Nickel, Marthijn von Griensven, Thomas Tschernig, Tobias Wittwer, Daniel Schmitz, Hans-Christoph Pape
• Journal: Intensive care medicine (Intensive Care Med) Vol. 28 Issue 7 Pg. 963-8 (Jul 2002) ISSN: 0342-4642 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12122537 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Interleukin-10
• Dehydroepiandrosterone

Topics

• Animals
• Apoptosis
• CD4-CD8 Ratio
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Flow Cytometry
• Immunity, Cellular (drug effects)
• Interleukin-10 (blood)
• Killer Cells, Natural (immunology)
• Male
• Mice
• Prospective Studies
• Shock, Hemorrhagic (blood, drug therapy)
• Spleen (pathology)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)